Ricv[1]

Resources for Independence Central Valley, Visalia, CA

1. Resources for Independence, VisaliaResources for Independence, Visalia
►NameName: : Resources for Independence Resources for Independence
Central Valley, VisaliaCentral Valley, Visalia
►Location/mailing addressLocation/mailing address: 220 N. Santa : 220 N. Santa
Fe Ave. Visalia, CA 93292Fe Ave. Visalia, CA 93292
►Website addressWebsite address: :
http://www.ricv.org/index.htmlhttp://www.ricv.org/index.html
►Type of OrganizationType of Organization: Non-profit: Non-profit

2. Resources for Independence, Resources for Independence,
Central ValleyCentral Valley
►Resources for Independence, Central Valley Resources for Independence, Central Valley
is made up of 5 branches throughout the is made up of 5 branches throughout the
Central Valley and has been serving Central Valley and has been serving
individuals with disabilities since 1976.individuals with disabilities since 1976.
►Kings, Tulare, Merced, Madera and Fresno Kings, Tulare, Merced, Madera and Fresno
County.County.

3. ►RICV partners with individuals and the RICV partners with individuals and the
community to encourage people with community to encourage people with
disabilities to be in control of their lives disabilities to be in control of their lives
and to live more independently through and to live more independently through
a diverse range of choices and a diverse range of choices and
opportunities.opportunities.
►Resources for Independence, Central Resources for Independence, Central
ValleyValley
Mission StatementMission Statement

4. Vision StatementVision Statement
►The board of directors holds a vision of what The board of directors holds a vision of what
will be different for people with disabilities as will be different for people with disabilities as
a result of RICV’s resources.a result of RICV’s resources.
►This “vision” is comprised of 6 goals, each This “vision” is comprised of 6 goals, each
with certain objectives that must be met in with certain objectives that must be met in
order to reach those goals.order to reach those goals.

5. Vision Statement GoalsVision Statement Goals
Goal 1- Goal 1-
►People with disabilities will be fully equal People with disabilities will be fully equal
and naturally accepted in a world where all and naturally accepted in a world where all
people are considered natural and people are considered natural and
accepted. We will partner in all civic accepted. We will partner in all civic
activities across the Valley with full inclusion activities across the Valley with full inclusion
and equality. Disabilities will be seen as a and equality. Disabilities will be seen as a
part of life by both people with and without part of life by both people with and without
disabilities.disabilities.

6. Vision Statement GoalsVision Statement Goals
Goal 2-Goal 2-
►Technology is designed to be used and will Technology is designed to be used and will
be accessible, available and affordable for be accessible, available and affordable for
everyone (universal design).everyone (universal design).
Goal 3-Goal 3-
►Employment is key to independence. The Employment is key to independence. The
employment rate of all people will be employment rate of all people will be
equitable, with fair pay and without bias.equitable, with fair pay and without bias.

7. Vision Statement GoalsVision Statement Goals
Goal 4-Goal 4-
►Children with disabilities and their families will Children with disabilities and their families will
be treated with respect by their peers, and be treated with respect by their peers, and
community. Self esteem is “under construction” community. Self esteem is “under construction”
here.here.
Goal 5-Goal 5-
►Persons with a disability in the Central Valley Persons with a disability in the Central Valley
and in our larger communities and society will and in our larger communities and society will
have high self-esteem and live enriched, self-have high self-esteem and live enriched, self-
directed lives.directed lives.

8. Vision Statement GoalsVision Statement Goals
Goal 6-Goal 6-
►The Central Valley will truly be fully The Central Valley will truly be fully
accessible, with full implementation of civil accessible, with full implementation of civil
rights by business, local governments, rights by business, local governments,
schools and other communities.schools and other communities.

9. Programs and ServicesPrograms and Services
►Systems Change Advocacy- Systems Change Advocacy- Systems change advocacy addresses Systems change advocacy addresses
issues related to individuals with disabilities including, but not limited to: Housing, issues related to individuals with disabilities including, but not limited to: Housing,
Transportation, Access, Employment, and Health.Transportation, Access, Employment, and Health.
►Assistive Technology- Assistive Technology- Assistive technology are the tools and resources Assistive technology are the tools and resources
used by individuals with disabilities to help improve their quality of life and live more used by individuals with disabilities to help improve their quality of life and live more
independently.independently.
►Client Assistance Program- Client Assistance Program- The Client Assistance Program informs persons The Client Assistance Program informs persons
with disabilities about procedures and services, and assists them in resolving difficulties that may with disabilities about procedures and services, and assists them in resolving difficulties that may
arise while receiving Rehabilitation Act funded services.arise while receiving Rehabilitation Act funded services.
►Creative Careers-Job Development- Creative Careers-Job Development- Creative Careers is vendorized by Creative Careers is vendorized by
the Department of Rehabilitation to provide job development services for individuals with disabilities. the Department of Rehabilitation to provide job development services for individuals with disabilities.
Creative Careers has a high success rate with an ever increasing number of consumers in its case Creative Careers has a high success rate with an ever increasing number of consumers in its case
load. The Counselors at the Department of Rehabilitation have been outstanding partners to help us load. The Counselors at the Department of Rehabilitation have been outstanding partners to help us
move this vital service forward.move this vital service forward.
►Communication Access- Communication Access- American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting is available, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting is available,
by appointment, when receiving RICV services. Additionally, all information at RICV is available in by appointment, when receiving RICV services. Additionally, all information at RICV is available in
alternative formats.alternative formats.

10. Programs and Services Cont’dPrograms and Services Cont’d
►High School Transitions-Bridges-High School Transitions-Bridges-
►BBuilding uilding
►RRelationships, Reaching Goalselationships, Reaching Goals
►IIndependence ndependence
►DDeveloping Skillseveloping Skills
►GGuiding Studentsuiding Students
►EEmpowermentmpowerment
►SSelf–Advocacyelf–Advocacy
►Housing Resources-Services Provided: Housing Resources-Services Provided:
►Information and ReferralInformation and Referral
►Landlord/Tenant AdvocacyLandlord/Tenant Advocacy
►Home Modification ResourcesHome Modification Resources
►Apartment Referral ListApartment Referral List
►Homeowners/Renters AssistanceHomeowners/Renters Assistance
►Information and Referral-Information and Referral- RICV has a broad range of disability-related information and resources RICV has a broad range of disability-related information and resources
that relate to the following topics:that relate to the following topics:
►Adult Day Cares CentersAdult Day Cares Centers
►Crisis HotlinesCrisis Hotlines
►Specialized TransportationSpecialized Transportation
►Utility AssistanceUtility Assistance

11. Programs and Services Cont’dPrograms and Services Cont’d
►Financial AidFinancial Aid
►Food ProgramsFood Programs
►HousingHousing
►Legal ServicesLegal Services
►Peer-SupportPeer-Support- Throughout the month, peer-support groups will be held throughout the - Throughout the month, peer-support groups will be held throughout the
Valley at a variety of locations in order to discuss the following:Valley at a variety of locations in order to discuss the following:
►Life issuesLife issues
►Learn computer skillsLearn computer skills
►Learn about Assistive TechnologyLearn about Assistive Technology
►Independent Living SkillsIndependent Living Skills
►Disability rights awareness, etc.Disability rights awareness, etc.
►TransitionsTransitions- The project is intended to assist people with disabilities in relocating out of - The project is intended to assist people with disabilities in relocating out of
a skilled nursing facility and into independent living.a skilled nursing facility and into independent living.
►To be eligible for this project the person must be on Medi-cal and have been living in a To be eligible for this project the person must be on Medi-cal and have been living in a
skilled nursing facility (hospital, nursing or subacute care facility, or an intermediate care skilled nursing facility (hospital, nursing or subacute care facility, or an intermediate care
facility) for 6 month or longer. facility) for 6 month or longer.
►The project can assist in several ways including providing a deposit, initial stock of The project can assist in several ways including providing a deposit, initial stock of
personal and household items, home modifications, assistive devices, and other items personal and household items, home modifications, assistive devices, and other items
necessary to transition into independent living.necessary to transition into independent living.

12. Work Incentive Planning Work Incentive Planning
AssistanceAssistance
►Work Incentive Planning Assistance Work Incentive Planning Assistance
(WIPA)- The WIPA program assists (WIPA)- The WIPA program assists
individuals who are receiving SSI or SSDI individuals who are receiving SSI or SSDI
benefits and are interested in returning to benefits and are interested in returning to
work. The qualified staff show the individual work. The qualified staff show the individual
how their benefits will be affected when how their benefits will be affected when
working. WIPA services puts emphasis on working. WIPA services puts emphasis on
helping beneficiaries plan for employment, helping beneficiaries plan for employment,
access services and supports needed to access services and supports needed to
make employment possible.make employment possible.

13. Who is Served?Who is Served?
►Persons with disabilitiesPersons with disabilities
►Family members of persons with disabilitiesFamily members of persons with disabilities
►Friends of individuals with disabilitiesFriends of individuals with disabilities
►Disability information is also available to Disability information is also available to
employers, professionals and organizations.employers, professionals and organizations.
►Certain programs provided may have Certain programs provided may have
specific eligibility requirements.specific eligibility requirements.

14. Governance and AuthorityGovernance and Authority
►Board of Directors (9)Board of Directors (9)
►Board members must be comprised of 51% Board members must be comprised of 51%
individuals with a disability. Every decision individuals with a disability. Every decision
that is made about policy must be approved that is made about policy must be approved
by the Board of Directors. Other members by the Board of Directors. Other members
are individuals who are interested in issues are individuals who are interested in issues
relating to disabilities.relating to disabilities.
►Executive Director (1)Executive Director (1)
►Director (1)Director (1)

15. Multicultural DevelopmentMulticultural Development
►51% of the board members MUST have a 51% of the board members MUST have a
disabilitydisability
►Programs are culturally appropriate given the Programs are culturally appropriate given the
current client demographics, however, this current client demographics, however, this
agency does want to do more outreach for agency does want to do more outreach for
those participants that live in rural areas.those participants that live in rural areas.
►Agency policies do support multicultural Agency policies do support multicultural
developmentdevelopment
►The agency currently does not do as much The agency currently does not do as much
outreach as they would like, due to outreach as they would like, due to
transportation and budget issues.transportation and budget issues.

16. Social Justice within RICVSocial Justice within RICV
►The RICV staff direct their efforts toward the The RICV staff direct their efforts toward the
goal of freeing people with disabilities from goal of freeing people with disabilities from
institutional living, while educating the institutional living, while educating the
community on accessibility issues. With the community on accessibility issues. With the
proper support system from the community, proper support system from the community,
people with disabilities can live where they people with disabilities can live where they
choose and pursue their dreams just as any choose and pursue their dreams just as any
other individual does. other individual does.

17. QuestionsQuestions
►What are the barriers within RICV?What are the barriers within RICV?
►What is RICV’s mission statement?What is RICV’s mission statement?
►Which population does RICV serve?Which population does RICV serve?